Training 1: Meet and Greet!

The excitement and anticipation was a bit overwhelming as a hundred or so people gathered outside The Lab on Sunday, March 16. Each person anxiously finding the country that God had led them to and picking up a folder filled with important information regarding preparing for the journey ahead of us.

After an hour of an overview of what is expected of us, it was time, time to meet the 20 or so people that we will be getting to know and serving alongside with during our mission to South Africa. Walking into Minilab 4 (I think) we were met by our “fearless” Leader Team. Their excitement for seeing us again, many for the first time, since our interviews, was contagious. There was definite electricity that filled the air as we all hugged and made introductions; a little awkwardness was also present as this was our first time meeting eachother.

This awkwardness was quickly extinguished as we got down to the business of getting to know one another. Now I can honestly say that “I never” thought I NEVER could be so difficult but I think with all the excitement we had for the journey ahead our intelligence became a little cloudy (only slightly ;) ) As we all scrambled and looked to each other to see if we were actually playing the game correctly I realized that the chaos and commotion that ensued from the game would not last long, as God revealed through our leaders how they felt led to choose each one of the team members and purposefully put each one of us here for the gifts we currently have and even those that are going to be built up within us during this journey.

I praise God for the work He has done with the Leaders in putting this team together, for the commitment that each Leader has for Africa and for the faith they have in each team member to be a light for the Lord in South Africa. I think I speak for all the team members in saying WE ARE EXCITED!!!! WE ARE THE LABORERS THAT ARE TO BE SENT OUT INTO HIS HARVEST!!!! His harvest in South Africa – who wouldn’t be excited about that!!!!

-- Claire